Furniture with removable covering



July 16, 1957 G. R. ROLFE 2,799,327

FURNITURE 'WITH REMOVABLE COYERING 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 3 0, 1955 JNVENTOR. GEORGE R.ROLFE.

July 16,

Filed March 30, 1955 F l G .4. 22

G. R. ROLFE 2,799,327

FURNITURE WITH REMOVABLE COVERING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

GEORGE R. ROLFE A'TORNEY.

United sexes Patent Of 2,799,327 Y FURNITURE wrrH REMiovABLE covERING George n. Rolfe?, Baltimore, Ma.

Application March so, 195s, serial No. 497,953

s claims. (ci. 15s- 184) `'This invention refers to furniture and its upholstery and more particularly to the construction involved where coverings or slip covers are intended to be replaceable. It has among its objects to provide a new and improved arrangement for this purpose that will permit the replacement of coverings to be made conveniently and quickly, without the need for fastenings that require eXtensive hammering or toolwork to vretain the cover in place, and to be tightly impressed to give a smooth usable surface.Y

There have been methods proposed and employed fork convenient fastening coverings and upholstery on sofas, and members of the divan, couch and chair classes, but such, are generally objectionable because they require tacks, staples, nails and other similar items that have to be driven in to hold the upholstery, to the backing or framework. yIn a particular instance, a seat is 'made with a separable framework adapted to be covered with 'fabric which is forced into a Vperipheral groove provided in a chair frame designed to receive and bind it. This is similar in principle to the common method used by seamstre'sses in attaching a napkin, handkerchief or the like over an embroidery frame with a flexible hoop. This arrangement requires an endless collar and a body for Vit to t in, and therefore is impractical for larger and more complicated requirements, su'ch as occur in the case or sofas and the like.

vIn this invention, the main structure of the sofa vor the like, is modied from that used in conventional lines,v to include a framework having hinged components. These components-are adapted to separate and permit a fabric sheeting or covering to be drawn over it, lapped and then clamped within their sides. Hinges are employed to swing the components back to theirl noi'- mal position.

For a better understanding of the inventiony and its objects reference is made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings in conjunction with the following description indicate ya particular form of the invention by way of example, while the claims indicate the' scope of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a separated View in perspective of a couch framework embodying this invention;

Figure' 2 is a-sectional elevation of the covered couch taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a view in perspective of the couch with portions broken away to show its interior construction;

Figure 4 is a typical sectional-elevation of the assembled framework indicating the manner in which the covering is clamped and fastened to it;

Figure 5 is a detail in plan of covering section employed in this embodiment;

Figure 6 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 3,; and

Figure 7 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of the'l front frame used'in this embodiment;

v'taentetl July 16, 1957 f. ICC

2, Similar reference characters refer to the' same parts throughout the drawings.

The drawings are intended to illustrate the invention in the form of a living room couch, and how it is as'-v sembled during the process of recovering it with fabric without the need for tools to do it. In Figure 1, the framework is shown with the back, designated by A, separated but in close proximity to its location for placement in the mainrjinner seat frame B. It consists of 1ongitudinal bars 11 and transverse bars 12 mitered and secured at their corners to forni a rectangular frame. The frame B is made up of P-shaped bars A20 and Y21 mitered at the corners and joined to form a rectangular structure. An outer frame C encompasses the frame B and is held to it'byits hinges 10 on their upper sides. The hinges enable the longitudinal quasi-P-shaped bar s 13 and transverse bars 14 of the frame C, to open outwardly. Likewise the bars 27 and 28 of the inner middle frame D are held by its hingesV 1'0 on their undersides that allow them to open out when the bars of the frame C are swung out. The mannerin which this takes place is shown in Figure 4. Legs 16 located adjacent the corners areprovided to support the frame B off the oor at a suitable distance. The legs are made with tongues of rectangular cross-section that fit and are insertable in rectangular recesses (not Shown) in the frame B and are kept in position without the use of bolts or other fasteners. It will be noted that theV faces of the bars 20, 21, 13 and 14 of the frames B and C do not make close contact against each other when in closed position but form a series of narrow spacings 1.9 in between, certain of the spacings 19 being provided for the fabric covering 22 to tit within them and be clamped by the bars when closed. The cover fabric 22 is out suitably to fit over the couch framework. It has parts removed where they might interfere with the hinges and other items that project beyond the bars, as indicated in Figure 5.

The bars 20 and 21 of frame B have a quasi-P-like contour formed with theirv 6-faces 25, contoured at right angles to each other to provide a large rectangular portion over and integral with a narrow rectangular portion aspindicated in Figure 4. Likewise the bars` 13 and 14 of the frame C have six similar faces 26. The faces 2S and 26Aof the frames B and C are symmetrical and come into close proximity with each other as shown in Figure 4 when closed. When so closed the respective bars 27 and 28, of frame D which are of rectangular cross section, have their faces 23,V brought into alignment with those of the faces on the bars of frames B and C as indicated in Figure 4, and is clamped between them.

The back frame A is attached by inserting the lugs v2 4 in the recesses 29 in the frame B. To keepthem from being pulled out, a dowel 30 is passed through each hole 31 in the frame B and the lug. It does not have to be fastened in place because the fabric cover 22 passes over it and retains it there. The frame Av has a series of wires, cables or strands 32 crossing it between the bars 11 fastened to in any suitablemanner. These strands are kept tensioned bycoil springs 33y attached to them and secured to the bar opposite that to which the strands are tied to. These wires, cables or strands 32 serve as a backing against which a pad 34 of thick foam rubber is pressed to form a cushionfor the back. This pad is kept inplace by the .cover 22. The wires, cables or strands may be of any suitable material of. the desired strength and qualities. The same arrangement is employed in the main inner seat frame B, to support its pad 34. The pads extend across the frames fully.

The bars of the frames are preferably `.mitered at the corners, in order to keep the bars of theframes together, and yet avoid the use of bolts or other fasteners requirtools.' To" tighten and secure'them, a" series of Vbay'o net-and-socket catches 35 are employed. These become attached when the bars are assembled in position with vone another. These catches 35 enable the bars to be detached under proper pressure when it is necessary to open up the frames for recovering with the fabric` 22. The catches and hinges are secured permanently in place by screws or bolts in a conventional way, when the framesare made up originally', and are not affected by the process of recovering. v

The process -of covering the couch is relatively simple. The cover 22 is preferably cut to size and contour, and is laid over the framework assembled from the frames A, B, C, and D, and as indicated in Figure 3. The frames C and D are opened up on their hinges while the coverv is lapped over them. Seeoutline in Figure 4. Then these frames are swung back pushing the fabric into the spacings, 19, wherever they are needed. The disposition of v'the fabric is indicated in Figure 3, and its general outline when in place is shown in the diagrammatic view Figure 2. After the fabric is in place the frames IB, C, and D are pushed together to engage the catches 35 and lock the whole couch assembly together. The hinges 10 are placed at points arbitrarily selected, and the covering slotted to allow for them accordingly.

In Figure 7 a modified construction is shown. In this instance the front exterior frame 36 is made integral, without the main inner frame. The member D is displaced by a front board 38 hinged at 39 to the bottom of the frame 36. The board 38 is swung upwardly and binds the lower edge of the cover 22 between it and the frame 36. The board 38 is locked in place with bayonetand-socket catches 35. The remaining structure of the frames is as previously described, in the rst embodiment.

It will be noted that the fabric can be placed on the frames quickly and made tight, and in doing so, no tools are necessary. The arrangement of hinges and hinged parts provides the necessary tightening tension to bring the fabric taut. The construction is simple avoiding the common slats and interconnected coiled springs and burlap used to provide resiliency to the back and seat cushions, as well as adequate support.f In addition the fabric acts not only as a covering but also as a reinforcement to the structural resistance of the assembly. Where the end portions `of the covering meet and leave a space. it is covered by a bead trimming or zipper sewed on the edges (not shown).

While the form of the invention shown is that of a couch, it is not desired to limit it to the class of items comprising domestic furniture, but to include seats for various purposes Where coverings are subject to considerable wear and tear and require replacement from time to time. In such instances where the same principles are involved, it is appreciated, that other designs could be developed and made that would bring them within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed l. A couch structure comprising in combination, a main interior seat frame, another frame exteriorly fitting around said first mentioned frame and hinged thereto to permit a swinging out of the bars making up said exterior frame, in one direction and a swinging-in against the said interior frame in the other to bring some of their faces close to one another, an inner frame hinged to the said exterior frame with its bars swingable between the previously mentioned frames, pads of resilient material placeable on the said interior frame, and fabric for covering said frames with its edge portions folded over and clamped between the faces of the frames hinged together.

2. A couch structure comprising in combination, a main interior seat frame, another frame exteriorly fitting around said first mentioned frame and hinged thereto to permit a swinging out of the bars making up said exterior frame in one direction and a swinging-in againstl the said interior frame in the other to bring some of their faces close to one another, an inner frame hinged to the said exterior frame with its bars swingable between the previously mentioned frames, pads of resilient material placeable on the said interior frame, fabric for covering said frames with its edge portions folded over and clamped between the faces of the frames hinged together, and a series of spaced strands spreading across the space between the bars of the interior frame for supporting said pads.

3. A couch structure comprising in combination, a main interior seat frame, another frame exteriorly litting around said first mentioned frame and hinged thereto to permit a swinging out of the bars making up said exterior frame in one direction and a swinging-in against the said interior frame in the other to bring some of their faces close to one another, an inner frame hinged to the said exterior frame with its bars swingable between the previously mentioned frames; pads of resilient material placeable on the said interior frame, fabric for covering said frames with its edge portions folded over and clamped between the faces of the frames hinged together, a lseries of spaced strands spreading across the space between the bars of the interior frame for supporting said pads, and springs incorporated in said strand to provide resiliency thereto.

4. A couch structure comprising a plurality of frames including hinged b ars detachable from each other to permit their movements through predetermined arcs so their faces may be spaced apart or brought adjacent each other, a sheet of fabric for covering said frames with its edge portions fitting between said adjacent faces to be clamped and stretched thereby and holding the fabric taut over the frames.

5. A couch structure comprising a plurality of frames including hinged bars detachable from each. other to permit their movements through predetermined arcs so their faces may be spaced apart or brought adjacent each other, a sheet of fabric for covering said frames with its edge portions fitting between said adjacent faces to be clamped and stretched thereby and holding the fabric taut over the frames, and means for locking the frames together while holding the fabric as aforesaid.

6. A couch structure comprising a plurality of frames including hinged bars detachable from each other to permit their movements through predetermined arcs so their faces may be spaced apart `or brought adjacent each other, a sheet of fabric for covering said frames with its edge portions fitting between said adjacent faces to be clamped and stretched thereby and holding the fabric taut over the frames, means for locking the frames together while holding the fabric as aforesaid, and resilient strands extending across said frames selectively between the bars thereof, and resilient pads mountable `on said strands under said fabric and against the bars to cushion the said structure.

7. A couch structure comprising a plurality of frames including hinged bars detachable from each other to permit their movements through predetermined arcs so their faces may be spaced apart or brought adjacent each other, a sheet of fabric for covering said frames with its edge portions fitting between said adjacent faces to be clamped and stretched thereby and holding the fabric taut over the frames, means for locking the frames together while holding the fabric as aforesaid, resilient strands extending -across said frames selectively between the bars thereof, and resilient pads mountable on said strands under said fabric and against the bars to cushion the said structure, said bars of the seat being contoured to fit against one another where their faces are brought adjacent and the back frame being removably attached to the side of one of the seat frames and covered by said fabric. l

8. Avcouch structure comprising a plurality of frames including hinged bars detachable from each other to permit their movements through predetermined arcs so their faces may be spaced apart or brought adjacent each other, a sheet of fabric for covering said frames with its edge portions fitting between said adjacent faces to be clamped and stretched thereby and holding the fabric taut over the frames, means for locking the frames togetheirwhile holding the fabric as aforesaid, resilient strands extending across said frames selectively between the bars the'r'eof, and resilient pads mountable on said strands under said fabric and against the bars to cushion the said structure, said bars of the seat being contoured to 6 t against one another where their faces are brought adjacent and the back frame being removably attached to the side of one of the seat frames and coveredvby said fabric, said fabric 'being in plural sections fitting the seat and back of the couch independently.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

